Intel Core i3-N300 vs Intel Core i7-2960XM

VS
Performance
Core i3-N300
4,98313% of 36,991
Core i7-2960XM63% better
8,09822% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 63% better performance than the Core i3-N300 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i3-N300118% better
16.1313% of 121.53
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53

The Core i3-N300 has 118% better value for the money than the Core i7-2960XM for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i3-N300 CPU

The Intel Core i3-N300 is a 8-core (8-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q1 2023 with a suggested retail price of $309. It is part of Intel's Core i3 lineup, which is based on the Alder Lake-N microarchitecture. The i3-N300 is compatible with Intel BGA 1264 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i3-N300 supports DDR4-3200, DDR5 memory and features a single-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 1 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i3-N300 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 96 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 2 MB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i3-N300 features 8 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 100.0 MHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i3-N300 includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 770. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i3-N300 has the 408th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 13.47% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 4,983 score and $309 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 16.13. This is the 175th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-2960XM CPU

The Intel Core i7-2960XM is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q3 2011 with a suggested retail price of $1,096. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i7-2960XM is compatible with Intel Socket G2 (988B) motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-2960XM supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-2960XM has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-2960XM features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-2960XM includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-2960XM has the 306th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 21.89% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 8,098 score and $1,096 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 7.39. This is the 208th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i3Core i7 Extreme
Market SegmentMobileMobile
Release DateQ1 2023Q3 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)$309$1,096
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i3-N300
4,98313% of 36,991
Core i7-2960XM63% better
8,09822% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 63% better performance than the Core i3-N300 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i3-N300 is ranked 408th with a score of 4,983, and the Core i7-2960XM is ranked 306th with a score of 8,098.

Performance per dollar
Core i3-N300118% better
16.1313% of 121.53
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53

The Core i3-N300 has 118% better value for the money than the Core i7-2960XM for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i3-N300 is ranked 175th with a performance per dollar of 16.13, and the Core i7-2960XM is ranked 208th with a performance per dollar of 7.39.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i3-N300 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-8259U8,528.5+71%
Core i7-4900MQ8,490+70%
Core i7-2960XM8,098+63%
Core i7-4810MQ8,012+61%
Core i7-4710MQ7,979+60%
Processor N1006,129+23%
Core i5-7300HQ6,042+21%
Core i3-N3004,983
Core i7-840QM4,686-6%
Core i3-7100H4,559-9%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i3-N300 or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-8665U16.52+2%
Core i7-8565U16.48+2%
Core i3-N30016.13
Xeon E3-1535M v515.84-2%
Core i7-4910MQ15.27-5%
Core i7-5550U8.15-49%
Core i7-4930MX7.96-51%
Core i7-2960XM7.39-54%
Core i7-820QM7.33-55%
Core i7-2920XM7.22-55%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
4,983
8,098
(+62.51%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
416
--
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
85
--
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
2,803
(+42.79%)
1,963
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
762
(+26.37%)
603
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
7,356
(+54.73%)
4,754
CPU Mark Single-Thread
1,797
(+12.45%)
1,598
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size10 nm32 nm
Transistors--1,160 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
SeriesCore i3Core i7 Extreme
MicroarchitectureAlder Lake-NSandy Bridge
CodenameGracemontSandy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR4-3200, DDR5DDR3
Memory ChannelsSingle-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
Cores84
Threads88
Clock Speed100.0 MHz2.7 GHz
Turbo Clock3.7 GHz3.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier1.0x27.0x
Multiplier UnlockedNoYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
L1 Cache96 KB64 KB
L2 Cache2 MB256 KB
L3 Cache6 MB8 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
SocketIntel BGA 1264Intel Socket G2 (988B)
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x9PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)7 W55 W
TJ Max105 °C100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i3-N300Core i7-2960XM
Integrated GraphicsUHD Graphics 770Intel HD 3000
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AVX-VNNI, AES-NI, EIST, Intel 64, CLMUL, RDRAND, SHA, TXT, SGX, VT-d, VT-x, TBT 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.